Pool Builder
Lucas Lagoons Volcano Pool Project is Erupting With Creativity
There are luxury pools. And then there are Lucas Lagoons projects.
For more than a decade, Lucas Congdon has built a reputation as one of the most recognizable names in high-end custom pool design. Millions of viewers first discovered him through the hit television series Insane Pools, where elaborate grottos, towering waterfalls, hidden caves, massive rock formations, and resort-style backyards became his trademark.
What separated Congdon from many other celebrity pool builders wasn’t simply the scale of the projects. It was the way his pools felt immersive. The environments Lucas Lagoons created rarely looked like conventional backyard swimming pools. They looked more like private resorts hidden inside residential properties — spaces carefully designed to transport homeowners somewhere else entirely.
Over time, that philosophy evolved well beyond the kind of residential work that first made Congdon famous.
Today, Lucas Lagoons has become one of the industry’s go-to firms for immersive luxury aquatic environments, particularly when it comes to one specialty that very few builders in the country tackle at the same level: custom lazy rivers.
Not just residential lazy rivers either.
Commercial ones too.
In recent years, Congdon and his team have steadily expanded into boutique resort work, increasingly elaborate luxury residential compounds, and massive custom aquatic environments that blur the line between private backyard and full-scale destination experience. Along the way, Lucas Lagoons has developed a growing reputation for projects that combine entertainment, engineering, and escapism in ways few builders attempt.
That progression is perhaps best represented by Congdon’s newest feature project — a sprawling tropical-inspired backyard centered around an erupting volcano spa and a winding resort-style lazy river.
Before getting to the volcano project itself, however, Congdon reflected on another milestone build that helped establish Lucas Lagoons as a serious player in the commercial aquatic space: the massive renovation project at The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Bringing a New Focus to Commercial Pools
When Pool Magazine last spoke with Congdon several years ago, the Christmas Place project was still deep in construction. Even then, it was obvious the scale and complexity of the build represented something very different from a traditional residential project.
“This is a hotel that obviously relies heavily on being open, and this is a heavy-duty construction project,” Congdon said.
Unlike a private residential backyard, the resort remained operational throughout much of the renovation process, forcing Lucas Lagoons to carefully phase construction while working around existing guests, infrastructure, utilities, and structural limitations buried throughout the property.
“There was a big water slide pool that was already there, tons of concrete decking, all kinds of infrastructure for the hotel — drainage lines, power — anything you could imagine was underneath the ground there,” he explained.
The completed project now features a large lazy river, multiple spas, extensive hardscaping, fire features, outdoor gathering areas, and naturalistic rockwork designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding Tennessee mountain landscape. Congdon said the build also pushed the company creatively in several new directions, including the use of artificial snow effects designed to reinforce the property’s Christmas theme.
“We had never done artificial snow before,” he said. “We collaborated with a lot of different people we hadn’t worked with before and a lot of people that we had. But in the end, what an amazing project.”
The scale of the project also required significant logistical coordination. Congdon and members of his team spent extended periods living in Tennessee throughout the build, balancing the demands of construction with the realities of working inside an active hospitality environment.
“One of my partners Ross, the designer, he was there with his family for quite a while,” Congdon said. “A lot of sacrifice to be able to kind of move into Tennessee.”
The project ultimately became a major turning point for Lucas Lagoons because it demonstrated that the company’s immersive design philosophy could successfully translate into commercial hospitality work without losing the naturalistic aesthetic that made the brand famous in the first place.
Lazy Rivers Now Becoming a Hallmark
As the Christmas Place project gained attention, so did another aspect of Congdon’s work that has increasingly become one of the defining specialties of Lucas Lagoons: luxury lazy rivers.
Most commercial pools are designed around function and capacity. Congdon approaches them from an entirely different perspective.
“We’re trying to bring the sexy back,” he said.
That philosophy has become central to the company’s expansion into boutique resort and hospitality work. Rather than pursuing generic commercial projects, Lucas Lagoons has focused on environments that feel experiential — spaces designed to create atmosphere and emotional impact rather than simply serving as recreational amenities.
According to Congdon, creating those experiences in commercial construction comes with a completely different set of challenges than residential work.
“Commercial’s a different beast,” he explained. “There’s so many rules and regulations, and to be creative it takes a lot of thought because there’s just so many rules.”
Even so, Congdon believes too many commercial pools still feel sterile and uninspired.
“Most commercial pools are pretty plain Jane,” he said. “They’re just big bodies of water. There’s nothing really sexy about them.”
Lazy rivers fundamentally change that dynamic because they transform a swimming pool into an experience rather than simply a body of water. That shift has helped fuel increasing demand among both hospitality clients and luxury homeowners looking to recreate the feeling of a destination resort within a private residential setting.
That growing specialization eventually led to one of the company’s most ambitious and visually striking projects to date: the volcano pool.
This Backyard is Erupting With Creativity
At first glance, the volcano project feels less like a residential backyard and more like a private tropical resort hidden somewhere along the Hawaiian coastline. Towering palms surround a winding lazy river while carved tiki features, dramatic rockwork, immersive lighting, and dense landscaping create an environment that feels cinematic without becoming overproduced.
At the center of it all sits the feature that immediately commands attention: a massive erupting volcano spa designed to look and behave like a natural volcanic formation.
Surprisingly, Congdon says the project did not originally begin with that concept.
“It was starting out kind of a typical Lucas Lagoons with a grotto and a lazy river,” he explained. “The clients had just gone to Hawaii and got all inspired by volcanoes and the tikis and all the faces and stuff.”
Around the same time, Congdon himself had recently traveled to Hawaii and found inspiration in the islands’ volcanic terrain and dramatic natural stone formations. That shared inspiration gradually evolved into one of the most technically ambitious features Lucas Lagoons has ever attempted.
Building a Volcano Spa That Actually Feels Real
The volcano spa sits elevated above the lazy river system like a natural landform emerging from the landscape. Creating something believable, however, required careful restraint.
“We’re very careful not to have things look too themey or fake or contrived,” Congdon said. “Disney’s cool and everything, but we’re not Disney. We like things to really feel authentic.”
The project began with the construction of a raised spa shell positioned roughly five feet above grade. From there, the team built a massive artificial rock structure around it designed to convincingly replicate volcanic stone formations.
Interestingly, the project represented one of Lucas Lagoons’ first major departures from relying almost exclusively on natural stone.
“We’re best known for our natural stone,” Congdon explained. “But the same artist who helped us with the snow in Tennessee helped us carve that rock.”
The realism comes from an enormous amount of detail work. Water from the spa spills through carefully carved lava channels illuminated with embedded red lighting and crushed red glass to simulate glowing molten lava flowing down the surface of the volcano.
“We used this red glass and red lights,” he said. “As the water’s flowing down, it kind of looks like lava moving.”
The volcano even erupts.
A custom blower system periodically builds pressure before releasing bursts of water through the crater opening while integrated misters simulate rising volcanic smoke.
“Every so often it kind of erupts and pushes extra water out of the spa,” Congdon said.
Even the pathway leading to the spa was designed with realism in mind. Rather than using conventional stairs, the team created a winding artificial turf ramp designed to resemble a volcanic trail cutting through the terrain.
“I didn’t want to do stairs coming up because you would never see stairs on a volcano,” he explained.
The result is immersive and dramatic without becoming cartoonish, something Congdon clearly views as an important distinction.
“It looks so real, so authentic,” he said. “It’s not cheesy.”
Engineering the Ultimate Backyard Lazy River
While the volcano spa may be the visual centerpiece of the project, the lazy river itself remains equally impressive from an engineering standpoint.
Congdon says Lucas Lagoons continues taking on increasingly large and sophisticated lazy river projects, including one current build exceeding $10 million that features a 5,000-square-foot grotto, interconnected multi-level pools, acrylic viewing panels, cliff-jumping areas, plunge pools, and extensive resort-style hydraulic systems.
At that scale, the projects function more like private waterparks than traditional residential pools.
For the volcano project, Lucas Lagoons once again utilized Riverflow pump systems to achieve the aggressive current effect that gives the river its authentic resort feel.
“We’ve had a lot of luck with the product,” Congdon said. “It pushes a lot of water.”
According to Congdon, maintaining proper current flow throughout a lazy river requires far more planning than most people realize.
“If people really want the water moving, you really want a pump closer to every 50 to 75 feet,” he explained.
That attention to detail is one of the reasons Lucas Lagoons has increasingly become associated with luxury lazy river design at the highest level of the market.
The Next Evolution of Lucas Lagoons
As Lucas Lagoons projects have continued growing in both complexity and visibility, Congdon says he began noticing a recurring comment online from fans and prospective clients.
“‘If I ever hit the lottery, I’m calling you to build my pool.’”
That recurring sentiment helped inspire the company’s newest initiative: Designer Series Pools.
“These pools are pre-designed,” Congdon explained. “The idea is that all our custom jobs take a while to design and engineer.”
The Designer Series program offers pre-designed Lucas Lagoons pools ranging from roughly $250,000 to $750,000 while utilizing a growing network of authorized contractors around the country to build them locally under Lucas Lagoons guidance and standards.
The model significantly reduces travel, engineering, and logistical expenses while allowing the company to expand nationally without sacrificing quality control.
“When I was dragging my team all around the country building these pools, by the time you pay all the guys and the per diem and the travel, it’s an average of over $100,000 per job,” Congdon said.
The company currently has several authorized contractors operating within the program, with additional builders preparing to join in the near future.
“We started it just over a year ago,” Congdon said. “We already have five authorized contractors, and we’ve got almost ten more ready to go.”
Congdon says the program has allowed Lucas Lagoons to create a system where clients can still experience the company’s signature style and design philosophy while working with trusted builders in their own markets.
“We do our best to vet them all,” he said. “We go through their financials, make sure they’re not going to take a deposit and not be able to finish the job.”
For Congdon, the Designer Series represents more than simply scaling the Lucas Lagoons brand. It represents a way to bring the company’s immersive design philosophy to more homeowners while still maintaining the creativity and authenticity that helped make the brand successful in the first place.
And judging by the volcano pool now gracing the cover of Pool Magazine, Lucas Congdon is still finding new ways to push the boundaries of what luxury pool design can become.
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire discussion with Lucan Congdon on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
In Austin, Texas, a city known for its competitive pool and outdoor living market, Bo Barnett has carved out a reputation for pushing boundaries. As the founder of GBIV Designs, Barnett combines artistry with engineering precision, blending design sensibility with technical know-how.
His introduction to the pool industry came somewhat unexpectedly. “I actually started in the pool business about 24 years ago,” Barnett said. “At the time, I didn’t know much about swimming pools, but I had always been into design and drawing. I got my first job at a big box company that paid me to sell pools, and that’s where I fell in love with the industry.”
After moving to Austin, Barnett co-founded a pool company in 2007. Within a decade, his firm KB Custom Pools ranked among the Top 50 Builders in the U.S. and collected multiple industry awards. But Barnett wasn’t satisfied with simply excelling in the residential market. He wanted GBIV to become a design firm that architects and builders could collaborate with on a national scale.
“As a builder with ‘custom pools’ in the company name, it was hard to get architects and design firms to see me as a peer,” he explained. “That’s when I decided to pivot. With GBIV, we could offer everything from conceptual design to structural and hydraulic engineering—not just builds in central Texas, but resources for projects all over the country.”
This broader vision opened the door to exploring innovative materials, and it was around this point in time that Barnett began championing the use of large-format porcelain tile panels.
Why Porcelain?
At the Coverings trade show in Orlando earlier this year, Barnett’s panel on porcelain drew a crowd of builders eager to hear his perspective. It’s easy to understand why: porcelain is challenging to master, but its potential is enormous.
Barnett’s interest was sparked by limitations he saw in conventional materials. “I got really bored with the one-by-one or one-by-two tiles,” he admitted. “I’d visit these amazing homes, see porcelain panels in the bathrooms, and think—why can’t we use this outside?”
Manufacturers were skeptical, arguing that porcelain wasn’t durable enough outdoors. But Barnett’s curiosity led him overseas. “In Italy, they showed me thin veneer porcelain that looked just like marble but was almost impenetrable to water, resistant to thermal expansion, and built to last,” he said. “That’s when I knew it had potential.”
He tested it on two projects. The results were visually stunning—but the process was riddled with errors. Without the right tools or methods, Barnett and his team faced broken panels, failed adhesion, and financial setbacks. Still, he saw enough promise to keep going.
Lessons From Failure
Barnett doesn’t shy away from recounting those struggles. “The first project was a financial disaster,” he said bluntly. “We broke panels just carrying them into the backyard. We used the wrong blades, the wrong adhesion methods. Out of 11 panels, seven broke. But the end result still looked incredible.”
Instead of giving up, Barnett treated those failures as tuition in a new discipline. He invested in the proper equipment: cutting tables, racks, suction cups, and scoring systems. “It cost us about $6,000 to outfit ourselves to handle the panels correctly,” he recalled. “But once we did, everything changed. Now, breaking a panel is rare. If one breaks, it’s because someone did something wrong.”
The same lesson applied to adhesives. Cementitious methods failed within 60 days, even under ideal conditions. “We followed every guideline—temperature, mixing, application—and still had delamination,” Barnett explained. “Switching to an epoxy system solved everything. Since then, we haven’t had a single failure.”
The Aesthetic Advantage
Beyond durability, porcelain’s biggest appeal lies in aesthetics. It opens creative doors that other materials simply can’t.
“You can create illusions—walls that look like wood, steel, or marble emerging from the water,” Barnett said. “People look at it and can’t believe it’s porcelain. That sense of wonder is part of the storytelling we’re trying to achieve in design.”
He has used porcelain to clad spas, pools, furniture, privacy walls, and even curved surfaces. A standout example is a perimeter overflow pool raised nine feet above grade.
“The entire exterior was wrapped in a three-millimeter Italian porcelain,” Barnett explained. “It almost looks like slate, paired with green glass and gold epoxy grout. The porcelain even flexed around a bow-front radius. From ten feet away, it looks like one solid piece with almost no visible grout lines.”
This visual fluidity is what sets porcelain apart. Large panels eliminate the grid of grout lines that dominate traditional tile installations, giving pools a sleek, monolithic look.
Raising the Industry
What distinguishes Barnett from many of his peers is his willingness to share what he’s learned. “If I hadn’t had mentors early on, I would’ve failed,” he said. “That’s why I’m open about the mistakes we made. If I can help another builder avoid those pitfalls, it lifts the whole industry.”
He encourages builders interested in porcelain to start with education. “The NTCA [National Tile Contractors Association] offers regional classes specific to large-format panels. That’s where I’d begin,” Barnett advised. “After that, reach out to vendors directly. Many of them will help connect you with training and the right products.”
His collaborative mindset extends even to competitors in Austin. “I get calls from builders a mile away asking for advice,” he said. “That’s fine with me. If they get it wrong, it hurts the client and reflects poorly on all of us. There’s enough business out there. We’re better off raising the bar together.”
The Road Ahead
So, will porcelain become mainstream in pool construction? Barnett thinks so—but it won’t happen overnight. “For large-volume builders, the learning curve and upfront investment can be intimidating,” he acknowledged. “But for those who take the time to train their crews, it’s one of the most dynamic materials available. I think within the next decade, we’ll see it adopted much more widely.”
He’s quick to add that porcelain isn’t reserved for high-end builds. “We’ve proven you can use it on an $80,000 pool just as effectively as a $500,000 one,” he said. “That’s why its potential impact is so broad.”
Looking forward, Barnett is intrigued by other materials, like acrylic, and concepts involving optical illusions in water features. But porcelain remains his central focus. “Porcelain works at every level of pool construction,” he emphasized. “That’s why I think it will have a bigger impact than almost anything else coming down the pipeline.”
Redefining What’s Possible With Porcelain
For Barnett, continuous learning is non-negotiable. “If I’m not sharpening my sword, I don’t feel like I’m doing justice to the industry,” he said. “Education has to be the foundation. That’s what allows us to innovate and redefine what’s possible in the backyard.”
As GBIV continues to blend artistry with technical expertise, Barnett’s work with porcelain is proving that luxury pool design is about more than building beautiful spaces—it’s about pushing the industry forward.
“We’re just scratching the surface of what can be done with porcelain,” he said. “And I think that’s what makes this moment so exciting.”
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation with Bo Barnett, owner of GBIV Designs, on the Pool Magazine Podcast.
Photography Credit: Ethan Cooper Photography
Features
The Growing Popularity of Reinforced PVC Membrane for Repairing and Restoring Residential Pools
Reinforced PVC membrane is a proven European solution that is rapidly picking up speed in the United States. This gorgeous, reinforced PVC membrane pool finish has the appearance of slate, marble, granite, sand and even traditional gunite. Reinforced PVC membrane is rapidly growing in popularity among pool professionals for renovating residential pools. Here is what pool builders and pool renovators need to know about this trending material and why they should offer it to their customers for both pool renovations and new construction.
Offering a reinforced PVC membrane pool finish
One of the main advantages of reinforced PVC membranes is that they don’t crack regardless of freeze-thaw conditions or ground movement. Therefore, offering a reinforced PVC membrane provides a pool finish with unique benefits not provided by marbelite, stone-colored quartz finishes or thermoplastic coating. The reinforced PVC membrane completely seals the structure of the pool and keeps it watertight, making it ideal for renovating existing pools and building new pools. Reinforced PVC membrane is the perfect renovation product for pools with peeling paint, cracks, or leaking gunite and plaster. Using reinforced PVC membrane will break the cycle of constantly repainting or costly replastering of the pool surface. In fact, pool professionals can distinguish themselves from competitors by offering a more comprehensive pool repair and restoration. Offering this long-lasting, reinforced PVC membrane can become a lucrative addition to your business providing an invaluable and profitable renovation option for a comprehensive pool repair.
Designer colors and textures
Today’s booming interest in this product for residential pools can be largely be attributed to the expansive colors and textures of reinforced PVC membrane that manufacturers like RENOLIT, in their TOUCH and VOGUE collections.
Consumers are drawn to the many new colors and finishes that give pool a high-end, designer look. For example, RENOLIT TOUCH series has colors and finishes that enhance and blend beautifully with today’s popular decking and coping treatments. The colors and textures offered by RENOLIT range from dark, grey slate and white marble finishes to speckled gunite and sand finishes. Buyers appreciate the materials high-quality and longevity inherent in the thicker 60, 70 and 80mil reinforced PVC membrane making it the perfect pool finish for pool professionals to add to their offerings.
Training
One, reinforced PVC membrane manufacturer, RENOLIT offers training and assisted installations to builders and installers getting started with learning the welding techniques for installing reinforced PVC membrane. In fact, installing reinforced PVC membrane is easy, and there are very low barriers to entry. No expensive equipment is required for installation and pool professionals can simply order the needed rolls and accessories for each job.
Once installation crews know how to install reinforced PVC membrane, they will find they are always busy and always in demand. Having the skill to install reinforced PVC membrane opens new opportunities for additional work in off-season. Residential installers equipped with this new set of skills find themselves expanding into commercial markets including hotels and motels where they can renovate indoor pools throughout the winter.
Growing demand of reinforced PVC membrane
The introduction of new architectural patterns and textures such as the RENOLIT TOUCH series has contributed to the growing demand for reinforced PVC membranes. The new finishes imitate the look and feel of natural elements giving pools a high-end, designer look. It’s a high-quality premium product with a different price point that works for those that want to spend more for a long-lasting, attractive pool. By adding designer reinforced PVC membranes to their offerings, pool businesses can distinguish their business from competitors and expand their market.
Visit RENOLIT to learn more about designer reinforced PVC membrane, their new selection of finishes in various, colors and prints and sign up for installation training.
In an industry where speed, quality, and sustainability are paramount, Plungie is getting increased attention with its precast concrete pools. Aimed at pool builders, developers, and homeowners looking for smart turn-key solutions, Plungie pools offer a compelling alternative to traditional gunite, vinyl liner, or fiberglass options. During a recent interview with Cam Levick and Mike Walter from Plungie, Pool Magazine explored what makes these pools revolutionary—and why they are quickly gaining market share as the go-to choice for savvy professionals and eco-conscious consumers alike.
Plungie Pre-Cast Concrete Pools
According to Cam Levick, the story behind Plungie is both simple and exciting. “Our core founders, one is a traditional pool builder, and the other is a guy who just loves concrete and inventing things,” he explained. Six years ago, the team came together with a shared vision: creating a faster, more efficient way to build pools. The result was Plungie, a monolithic, precast concrete pool that could be installed in record time.
Plungie’s journey started in Australia, where they sold thousands of pools, and has since expanded into the U.S. market, providing the same high-quality product that has taken off across both continents.
Unlike traditional pools that require weeks or even months to construct, Plungie pools are factory-built and ready for installation within 10 days. “The pool industry has always been bogged down by delays—curing time, weather interruptions, and subcontractor availability,” Levick said. “With Plungie, those headaches are gone. Our pools come ready to install, so you can complete the project faster and with fewer disruptions.”
What Sets Plungie Apart?
One of the critical differences between Plungie and traditional pools lies in the construction method. Levick emphasized that all Plungie pools are built in a factory controlled environment, giving them a competitive edge over gunite and shotcrete pools. “Our lead time is 10 days,” he noted. “Because we build in a factory, our environmental footprint is much smaller, and we use 8000 PSI concrete, which is stronger than what’s used for gunite or shotcrete.”
The precast design offers incredible versatility for homeowners with limited space or challenging terrain. “They can go above ground, fully in-ground, or even act as retaining walls,” Levick shared. This flexibility, combined with industry certifications like ICC and UL approvals, gives builders and homeowners confidence in the durability and quality of Plungie pools.
The Product Line: Something for Every Backyard
Plungie offers four flagship models to meet a variety of needs and preferences. Mike Walter elaborated on the different pool models:
The Max: 20×10 feet, holding 5,300 gallons of water, ideal for larger backyards.
The Original: 15×8 feet, with a 3,200-gallon capacity, balancing size and function.
The Studio: A compact 12×7-foot pool, perfect for urban settings or smaller spaces.
The Arena: An 11.5-foot circular pool, offering a distinctive, design-forward look.
In addition to the standard features, each Plungie pool comes pre-plumbed, pre-lit, and eco-finished with a 10-year warranty on both the shell and finish. “It’s a truly turnkey experience,” Walter said, adding that the pools also feature umbrella holders and hydrostatic valves to enhance convenience and functionality.
Performance That Builders and Homeowners Will Love
Beyond sustainability, Plungie pools outperform fiberglass pools in several key areas. “Concrete pools retain heat better than fiberglass, so they’re more energy-efficient,” Levick pointed out. “It’s easier to maintain your desired water temperature, whether you’re heating or cooling the pool.”
Levick also highlighted the durability and feel of concrete, which many homeowners prefer over fiberglass. “There’s just something about the feel of concrete that people love,” he said. “And with our monolithic pour—where the pool is cast in a single piece—there are no weak points or cold joints to worry about. That’s why we offer a 10-year warranty on both the shell and the finish.”
Plungie’s partnership with EcoFinish adds another layer of quality to the product. “EcoFinish is a high-performance polymer that bonds chemically and physically to our concrete,” Levick explained. “It’s easy to maintain, resistant to chemicals, and incredibly durable. Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty, just like our pools.”
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is a key focus for Plungie, a point Levick was eager to elaborate on. “Building products don’t always have the best track record in terms of sustainability,” he admitted. “We wanted to take a proactive approach.” Plungie conducted a life cycle assessment comparing its pools to traditional concrete pools. The results were striking:
“We found that a Plungie has a 41% lower carbon footprint than a traditional on-site pool,” Levick said. “And in some cases, with recent changes, we’ve been able to reduce that footprint by up to 60%.” Plungie pools require fewer site visits and less concrete, and they can even be recycled at the end of their life—a feature not feasible with fiberglass pools.
Why Choose a Plungie Pool?
When evaluating pool options, Levick explained, many consumers appreciate the thermal and aesthetic benefits of concrete. “Concrete pools retain heat better than fiberglass, making them more energy-efficient to maintain the desired water temperature,” he said. Additionally, customers enjoy the durability and feel of concrete, which adds a layer of quality that fiberglass often cannot replicate.
Walter highlighted another benefit: Plungie’s speed of installation. “Homeowners can plan their pools on our website, connect with an installer, and have a pool in place within days, not months,” he said. This efficient process appeals to builders and developers alike.
Scalable Solutions for Developers
The ability to scale production is one of Plungie’s greatest strengths. Walter shared that Plungie’s approach has made them popular with homebuilders. “We’re currently working with a builder developing 1,600 homes. He’s planning to install 400 Plungie pools across the subdivision,” Walter revealed. “Because our pools are quick to install, builders can place a pool, finish the house, and sell it without delays.”
Keeping the entire process in-house—from excavation to installation—offers builders greater control over project timelines and profitability. “The margins are much better when you’re not outsourcing to subcontractors,” Walter noted.
A New Way Forward for Pool Professionals
Mike Walter explained that for value proposition for builders lies in Plungie’s speed, scalability, and quality, making it easier to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple projects. For homeowners, it provides a sleek, modern pool without the usual hassle of lengthy construction timelines and disruptive on-site work.
“Builders don’t need to worry about rain delays or subcontractor availability,” Walter emphasized. “With Plungie, they can plan their projects more efficiently, keeping everything on schedule and under budget.”
Levick added, “For developers and architects, Plungie offers a way to stay ahead of the curve. Our BIM content helps architects calculate the environmental impact of their projects, and our modular pool designs make it easy to customize installations.
Filling an Important Gap
Plungie pools aren’t here to replace custom pools but to fill an important gap in the market, offering a smart, practical option for both builders and homeowners. As Mike Walter explained, “There are a lot of cases where customers want a custom pool, but because of site challenges like slope or grade, they just can’t do it. Or, it might cost them a tremendous amount of money to build that pool the way they imagined.”
Plungie pools provide an alternative that works in a range of situations where a custom pool might be out of reach or impractical. “We offer the next option for them—something that’s going to be more affordable,” Walter continued. “It’s going to help the customer save money, reduce damage to their yard, and limit the amount of foot traffic during installation.” For homeowners, this means getting a pool without the usual stress and disruption.
For pool professionals, Plungie is an essential tool to stay competitive and meet the evolving demands of today’s customers. “It’s just another arrow in their quiver,” Walter said. “They aren’t giving up custom pools. Instead, they now have a solution that lets them offer something equally impressive, but more accessible and affordable.”
Cam Levick also suggests that in the face of rising material costs, labor shortages, and growing environmental concerns, Plungie’s monolithic precast pools provide a streamlined solution that benefits everyone involved. “Builders appreciate the short installation timelines and reduced costs, while homeowners love the eco-conscious design, flexibility, and durability:.
“We’re not just selling pools,” Levick added. “We’re providing peace of mind—whether for a homeowner who wants to enjoy their pool in days, not months, or for a builder who needs a reliable product with fewer delays and complications.”
Ready to take a deeper dive?
Listen to our entire conversation about Plungie with Cam Levick and Mike Walter on the Pool Magazine podcast.
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